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Why should I get involved in volunteering?

Yesterday was International Volunteer Day, a day to celebrate volunteering and shed light on the important role volunteers play, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. The theme for this year is 'Together We Can Through Volunteering'.
It's important that you only volunteer if you want to. If you feel as though you're being taken advantage of, it's important that you speak up. This could be to your manager, someone more senior, or an external organisation. You can read more about what to do if you're being treated badly as a volunteer on the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) website.

There are a number of websites through which you can find volunteering opportunities. I've listed a few below:
You can also visit the websites of organisations you're interested in volunteering with, such as Scope's volunteering page.
Even if there aren't any opportunities being advertised with the organisation you're interested in volunteering with, it can be worth getting in touch with them directly to see if there's anything you could help out with.
Tips for volunteering as a disabled person - blog post by @emmarenshaw
Volunteering as a disabled person
Volunteering Matters believe that:Having a physical or learning disability shouldn’t prevent anyone from volunteering. We work in partnership with local organisations and businesses to help disabled people actively volunteer (via supported volunteering if necessary) and contribute to their community. We offer support placements in many different work environments such as retail, gardening, and hospitals.
Volunteering can offer up lots of opportunities, including:- Meeting new people
- Improving your social skills
- Learning skills that are useful in the workplace, as well as in general life
- Getting a reference for your CV
- Increasing your confidence levels
- Gaining more knowledge on something you're interested in
It's important that you only volunteer if you want to. If you feel as though you're being taken advantage of, it's important that you speak up. This could be to your manager, someone more senior, or an external organisation. You can read more about what to do if you're being treated badly as a volunteer on the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) website.
Where to find volunteering opportunities
Volunteers are still being recruited, despite the coronavirus pandemic. In fact, many new volunteering opportunities have opened up. Some of these are remote, such as telephone befriending services, and some are in-person but socially distanced, such as doing food deliveries for at-risk people.There are a number of websites through which you can find volunteering opportunities. I've listed a few below:
You can also visit the websites of organisations you're interested in volunteering with, such as Scope's volunteering page.
Even if there aren't any opportunities being advertised with the organisation you're interested in volunteering with, it can be worth getting in touch with them directly to see if there's anything you could help out with.
Read next
Why I owe everything to volunteering - blog post by @HannahMckearnenTips for volunteering as a disabled person - blog post by @emmarenshaw
Have you ever done any volunteering? Are you interested in volunteering in the future? Has the coronavirus pandemic made you more or less likely to volunteer?
Online Community Coordinator, she/her
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Replies
I have been volunteering in a variety of roles my entire adult life and it is so rewarding. Not only have I been privilege to meet some amazing people, I have also gained some vital life skills as well as learning new things. One of my volunteering roles also led to paid employment and I'm really pleased to be part of the volunteering community. I'm sorry to hear of your experience @MrAllen1976, that should not have been said but shows people's lack of understanding. Volunteering, in my opinion, is part of the backbone to our country and I salute anyone who becomes involved. It is important to ensure that as a volunteer you are not taken advantage of and to also find a role which suits your individual needs and is rewarding. Good luck to anyone exploring this option, it really is worthwhile. Thank you
It's valuable for so many reasons:
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On my CV I just put "references available on request"
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I just wanted to wish you luck as you try to seek new opportunities and please do keep us updated with how it goes
Ah, that's a shame @MrAllen1976. What about any of the others you've volunteered with? It's always worth asking.
Want to tell us about your experience on the community? Talk to our chatbot here and let us know what you think
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